The ruins of the old city were a jagged reminder of the Planetary Rupture. Techyon stood before the heap of twisted metal and stone that used to be his Guild.
"Great," he muttered, adjusting his worn jacket. "So now I have to recheck my ID and my Mana levels, and my home base is a graveyard."
He flagged down a passing citizen hauling a cart of salvage. "Excuse me, the Guild is gone. Where's the nearest place to register?"
The man pointed toward the shimmering horizon. "Hydro City. It's a few kilometers that way. Their barriers held during the disaster—it's the only place with a functioning Mana Scanner."
The Encounter on the Road
Techyon began the trek, his boots crunching on the dry earth. After the 100km runs in the hospital garden, a few kilometers felt like nothing, but his body had a different complaint.
Gurgle.
"I am... so hungry," Techyon groaned.
A Horse Carriage rattled up behind him, the dust kicking up around the wheels. A young man with a relaxed posture leaned out. "You look like you're about to collapse, friend. How far you headed?"
"Hydro City," Techyon replied. "How much further?"
"Five kilometers. We're headed there too—hop on, there's plenty of room."
The Hidden Titans
Inside the carriage, Techyon sat across from two teenagers who looked his age, but their gear whispered of high-level dungeons.
"My name is Lapis Honoured," the boy said with a lazy grin.
"And I'm Elisa Forger," the girl added, her eyes sharp and observant.
"Techyon. Techyon Light," he responded.
GURGLE. The sound was unmistakable. Lapis laughed, reaching into a bag. "Bro, looks like your stomach is trying to scream. I've got some sandwiches. Eat up."
"Thank you," Techyon said, not wasting a second. Between bites, he looked at Lapis. "By the way... what's your rank? You guys look like you know your way around a dungeon."
Lapis leaned in, pulling a Golden ID from his vest. "Don't say it too loud, but I'm a Z-Rank adventurer."
Techyon nearly choked. "Z-Rank?! Then why are you in a Horse Carriage? Shouldn't you be flying or... I don't know, fighting a dragon?"
"Z-Rank means too much work," Lapis sighed, leaning back. "I'm taking a break at my grandparents' place. Being a 'prodigy' is exhausting."
Elisa crossed her arms, a playful pout on her face. "And you didn't even ask mine. I'm S+ Rank. Second daughter of the Forger Clan."
The Shadow of a Legacy
"You guys are... massively impressive," Techyon said, honestly shocked. At 16, he was sitting with the elite of the new generation.
"What about you, Techyon?" Lapis asked. "What's the rank on your card?"
"I'm going to check. I don't know my rank yet," Techyon said. He kept his face calm, hiding the truth in his mind: I didn't just 'awaken.' I lost everything I worked for.
"Oh, a late bloomer!" Lapis clapped him on the shoulder. "Don't worry. I'm the eldest son of the Honoured Clan—everyone says I'll be the 'Strongest' one day. Maybe I can give you some tips."
Elisa narrowed her eyes. "Techyon Light... I've never heard of a 'Light Clan.' Is it a hidden branch?"
"It's not a clan," Techyon said quietly, his thoughts drifting to the ash of his home. "It was just my father's name."
"Look!" Elisa pointed out the window as the carriage rounded a hill.
The Hydro City loomed ahead—a sprawling metropolis of blue glass and eternal waterfalls, untouched by the Monarch's reach. For Lapis and Elisa, it was home. For Techyon, it was the place where he would find out if he was still a human... or something else.
The Hydro Guild was a masterpiece of architecture—floors of reinforced glass with water flowing beneath them, lit by glowing mana stones. In the center sat the testing crystal, a massive, jagged diamond that hummed with ancient power.
"Go on, bro!" Lapis cheered, leaning against a pillar. "I want to see what kind of monster we picked up on the road."
Elisa stayed silent, her eyes narrowed. There's no way he's just a late bloomer, she thought. The way he carries himself... the way the air seems to vibrate around him. I'll know the truth in a second.
Techyon stepped forward. He felt the gaze of the Z-Rank and the S-Rank on his back. He reached out, his fingers grazing the cold surface of the crystal.
System: Suppress Mana to 0.01%?
Techyon: Do it.
The crystal flashed a bright, sharp blue.
"Mr. Techyon," the receptionist called out, her voice professional but impressed. "Your rank is A-Rank. Category: Speedster. Please fill out these registration papers."
The Hidden Truth
Techyon took the pen, his eyes scanning the form.
[Element/Typing: ___________]
I remember what Cindar told me, Techyon thought, the memory of his mentor's voice echoing through the static of the hospital meds. 'Light typing is a target on your back, kid. In a world of shadows, the brightest bulb gets smashed first.'
He didn't hesitate. He ignored his Dual-Typing. He didn't write "Light." He simply wrote: Electric.
[Passive Ability: ___________]
Two passives, Techyon mused. Energy Creation or Auto Counter? If I tell them I have Auto Counter, they'll realize I'm a combat anomaly. If I tell them Energy Creation... I'm just another weapon-maker.
"My passive is Energy Creation," Techyon said aloud to the receptionist. "I can forge basic constructs—daggers, kunai, shriveling."
"Understood," she replied, stamping the paper. "Paperwork is complete. You are now officially an adventurer of the Hydro Guild."
The Calm Before the Breach
Lapis slapped Techyon on the shoulder, nearly knocking the wind out of him. "A-Rank! Massive, bro! At sixteen? You're a certified genius."
Elisa looked away, her posture relaxing but her brow still furrowed. Maybe I was wrong. A-Rank is strong, but it's not 'Planetary Rupture' strong. Maybe he's just a lucky survivor.
"Help!"
The guild doors burst open as a panicked scout stumbled in. The emergency sirens began to wail—a deep, rhythmic thrum that turned the water beneath the glass floors into a turbulent mess.
"An A-Rank Dungeon just breached in the Northern District!" the head receptionist shouted, her face pale. "We need high-rankers immediately! Is there anyone available?!"
She looked around the room. Her heart sank. Aside from the three teenagers standing at the desk, the hall was filled with C-Rankers—adventurers who would be slaughtered in seconds if they stepped inside an A-Rank gate.
Techyon looked at his new ID card, then at the shadow of the gate appearing on the guild's radar.
An A-Rank dungeon... Techyon thought, his hand subtly twitching. Perfect. I need the money, and I need to test if this 'Overheating' problem happens when I'm actually killing something.